eShop Arcade Bunny helps you buy games, yay
Epitome: Nintendo Life

It's been over a decade (or about a decade in Wii U's case), but it'southward finally happening: Nintendo is closing downwards the Wii U and 3DS eShops, meaning that presently you will no longer be able to buy digital games on either platform.

Of course, this modify won't accept place until March 2023, which ways at that place's still time for you to grab all the downloadable games you lot can fit in your digital arms and run. But with credit bill of fare payment back up catastrophe sooner on May 23rd, 2022, and Nintendo eShop cards ceasing to redeem from August 29th, 2022, we want to make sure that you get those games in fourth dimension, and don't see whatsoever lack-of-fund-related mishaps.

Nosotros've likewise got guides to exactly which games you lot should exist panic-ownership before they all run out like toilet newspaper in 2020. Here's our list of the All-time 3DS eShop exclusives for starters, and nosotros'll requite you the Wii U one when it's fix.

Here's everything you need to know about the 3DS and Wii U eShop closures, all in one handy identify!

3DS and Wii U eShop Closure Guide - When, How, WHY?!?!

When does the Wii U eShop close?

The Wii U eShop closure volition happen some fourth dimension in tardily March, 2023.

When does the 3DS eShop close?

The 3DS eShop closure volition too happen some time in late March, 2023. We don't notwithstanding know if it'due south the aforementioned day as the Wii U closure, although it would seem probable.

What does the eShop closing mean?

Broadly, it means that you won't exist able to buy or download new games on the 3DS or Wii U eShop after March 2023, and you lot besides won't exist able to purchase in-game content, download demos or free-to-play software, redeem download codes, or add funds to your account on 3DS or Wii U.

You will exist able to redownload purchased content afterward the March 2023 cut-off for an for an undisclosed amount of fourth dimension.

Tin can I still add funds to buy games?

Yes, only only until May 23rd, xx 22 if y'all're using a credit card, and only until Baronial 29th, 2022 if you take bought a eShop card.

Yet! Currently, if your Nintendo Network IDs (used on 3DS and Wii U) are linked with your Nintendo Business relationship (used on Switch), your eShop funds are shared across the Nintendo Switch eShop and the 3DS/Wii U eShops.

This volition be the case until March 2023, so you'll still be able to add together funds by doing it on the Switch, simply only if your Nintendo Accounts are linked.

Y'all tin can read more well-nigh how to link your accounts past clicking hither.

WHY is this happening?

Hither'south Nintendo's argument on the subject:

"This is function of the natural lifecycle for any product line every bit it becomes less used by consumers over time. Nosotros are providing this notice more than a year in advance of the finish of purchases so users will accept plenty of time to prepare."

Does this affect the Nintendo Switch eShop?

No, the Nintendo Switch eShop will all the same piece of work merely fine. Who knows, information technology might run even improve at present that Nintendo has more than complimentary servers, but let'south not count our eShop chickens before they've hatched.

Only no. Realistically, no effect whatsoever on the Switch eShop.

Tin can I still redownload games?

As long equally you already own a game on the 3DS or Wii U, you lot'll be able to redownload it from the eShop "for the foreseeable future".

That means that redownloading volition still be possible after March 2023, but we don't know how long for.

What about online play?

Skillful news: Online play volition also withal be bachelor "for the foreseeable future" for any titles you lot already own, past March 2023.

Again, we don't know exactly how long.

Can I however download software updates?

Software updates will be fabricated bachelor "for the foreseeable future" as well.

Can I still download complimentary software?

Free software, including "free-to-start" software like Nintendo Bluecoat Arcade, will be available for download until March 2023. After that, it disappears with the rest of the games.

What about the Virtual Panel?

Sadly, the Virtual Consoles — which housed more than 530 archetype games, available to purchase and download — will exist no more later on March 2023.

Nintendo'due south FAQ on the bailiwick of the eShop closures initially addressed this, but the details were presently removed from the page. Here'south what they originally said (you can also click hither to access the archived page yourself):

Once information technology is no longer possible to purchase software in Nintendo eShop on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, many classic games for past platforms will cease to be available for purchase anywhere. Volition you lot make classic games available to own another way? If non, then why? Doesn't Nintendo have an obligation to preserve its classic games by continually making them available for purchase?

Across our Nintendo Switch Online membership plans, over 130 classic games are currently available in growing libraries for various legacy systems. The games are often enhanced with new features such as online play.

Nosotros recollect this is an effective way to make classic content easily bachelor to a broad range of players. Within these libraries, new and longtime players can not only discover games they remember or have heard almost, but other fun games they might not have thought to seek out otherwise.

We currently have no plans to offer classic content in other ways.

What does information technology mean that they removed this section from the FAQ? Nosotros can't say. We can promise that the Virtual Panel will return some twenty-four hour period, just for now, information technology'due south but a hope.

Nintendo's stance is that the Nintendo Switch Online service will replace the Virtual Console, but with no Game Male child, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, and Wii games available on Nintendo Switch Online, it'll take a long time to catch up.

Will this bear upon physical games?

No, concrete games will still piece of work just fine. As long equally you're taking good intendance of them.

Tin can I still buy Nintendo eShop cards that say they're for Wii U/3DS? Will they piece of work on Switch?

If you visit a shop that still sells eShop cards for the Wii U and 3DS, you lot can all the same purchase them — they'll work only fine on the Nintendo Switch, and you'll exist able to input the codes on the Switch eShop.

Tin I still purchase in-game content?

After March 2023, you will not be able to purchase in-game content, including:

  • Anything from Nintendo Badge Arcade
  • The StreetPass Mii Plaza DLC games
  • Any themes from the 3DS theme store
  • An annual pass for Pokémon Bank
  • Passes and DLC for Wii Sports Club's various sports

Pokémon Bank will, still, become a free service afterward March 2023, and so you probably shouldn't exist paying for it anyhow.

Can I redeem game download codes?

Yous'll be able to redeem download codes until March 2023.

Can I nonetheless download and buy 3DS themes?

Yeah and no. You lot won't be able to purchase any new ones later March 2023, simply you will be able to download "a small-scale number of gratis themes".

Which ways yous should pick up all the wicked SEGA-themed ones ASAP.

So, in summary: It's happening, you've got a twelvemonth to become all the games, and then you'll be out of time. FOREVER. All digital media is fleeting and we're all slowly itch towards the grave, buy video games while you can. And preferably, buy them physically — because who knows when they'll be cruelly ripped from you.

If you lot've got any further questions, feel free to exit them in the comments and we'll do our best to address them.